Follow us to the Land of Dragonflies in search of our Destiny. We found our children half away around the world in Vietnam. Follow this family of seven as we live and love life daily and try and change the world.

"Take an action each day that alleviates suffering in the world. Bring light into darkness."-Angeles ArrienHere is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished:If you're alive, it isn't.--- Richard BachI have come to realize more and more that the greatest disease and the greatest suffering is to be unwanted, unloved, uncared for, to be shunned by everybody, to be just nobody [to no one] --Mother Teresa

We were not separated at your birth.It was the moment at which we began our journey toward each other.-Nancy McGuire Roche

Monday, July 30, 2007

So when we got the new pictures I was a little concerned that in the pictures her eyes appeared to be crossed. I never saw a hint of it in earlier pictures but now EVERY picture seemed to be that way. I was not concerned if she actually had an eye problem. It was more the fact of her being in Vietnam for who knows how much longer and not being able to treat it early. I read you should start patching at 4 months or it could cause permanent damage. This really scared me. I felt so out of control. It really scared me not being able to help my daughter if she had a medical problem that needed to be treated. My job on this planet is to take care of my kids . This is what a Mom is for. It was really hard having no control over this situation or how it played out.

I sent her updated photos to an International Adoption Specialist Doctor who reviewed their medicals back in June and is available to consult with about anything that concerns me. This is a great service (Large donation required and appreciated- Of course this is the world of International adoption) and it definitely eased my mind. Here was the response of this great DR.

"As with your little boy, she is absolutely gorgeous. I can understand your concerned about a crossed eye (strabismus) which is a common pediatric eye problem. HOWEVER, I do not think she has a true problem. Children from Asia often have extra folds of skin over the middle portions of their eye. These are called epicanthal folds and they often obscure the medial portions of the globe and make it appear that the eyes are crossed. The way to look at eyes is to look at the light reflex coming off the cornea (gleam of light in the middle of the eye). If the light reflex is centered at the same point in the pupil in both eyes, then there is usually conjugate gaze (non-crossed eyes). In her case, the light reflex is centered in both pupils so I believe she has a condition called pseudostrabismus (false strabismus) which has no pathological significance. That's my best guess at this point but all adopted children need to see a good pediatric ophthalmologist after arrival. If it is a problem a variety of treatments are available and the outcome is usually quite good at this age. "

I can see what he means. If you look at the white dot of light on her pupil it is in the same place even though her one eye looks crossed. I thought this might be useful info for some of you that might be adopting your own little Asian prince and princesses.

I hope the rest of this wait goes FAST. I do not want to feel that out of control again. The Mother bear instinct in me kicked in. I was almost on an airplane to Vietnam to kidnap my own child.

2 comments:

My daughter (bio) had a similar look to her eyes as a baby. I too was reassured by her ped and a ped opth that it was OK and not uncommon because of the exaggerated space between her eyes. He said it appears that way, but they are OK.

We discovered that our son had a lazy eye at age 2 1/4. We have been patching for a year now (2 hours per day) & I think it is now corrected!!! We'll see what the dr says at his next appt. :) But it looks like we have avoided surgery altogether!!! :) Anyway... just wanted to give you reassurance that, even if she did have an issue, that even age 2 / 3 isn't too late for a recovery!! :) But regardless, I know you want both of them home NOW in your own care!!! So great that you found such a great IA dr.!

Children are the future of mankindAnd it is the undeniable right of each child to be nurtured, loved and protected,Ideally by his or her own family.

If for some reason this is impossibleBecause of poverty, sickness, death or lack of concern,Then the child must be cared for by the human family.

We are dedicated to the philosophyThat every child who enters this worldShould be the recipient of the giftThat was promised them at the moment of birth.The gift of Life.

Cherie Clark, 1977

Steven Curtis Chapman - When Love Takes You In lyrics

I know you've heard the storiesBut they all sound too good to be trueYou've heard about a place called homeBut there doesn't seem to be one for youSo one more night you cry yourself to sleepAnd drift off to a distant dream

Where love takes you in and everything changesA miracle starts with the beat of a heartWhen love takes you home and says you belong hereThe loneliness ends and a new life beginsWhen love takes you in

And somewhere while you're sleepingSomeone else is dreaming tooCounting down the days untilThey hold you close and say I love youAnd like the rain that falls into the seaIn a moment what has been is lost in what will be

When love takes you in everything changesA miracle starts with the beat of a heart

And this love will never let you goThere is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose it's hold

When love takes you in everything changesA miracle starts with the beat of a heartWhen love takes you home and says you belong hereThe loneliness ends and a new life beginsWhen love takes you in it takes you in for goodWhen love takes you in